that this view has arisen among the masses? If it is, then it is a strong argument against your application of the united front tactics.
Hesse: "Brandler's article."
There is something more important than Brandler's article: not merely Brandler's fault or the fault of the Executive, but an important fact, which we must investigate.
Koenen: "There is no such opinion."
Thälmann: "There is, particularly in Saxony."
Brandler was the first to assert this. In his declaration he laid special emphasis on this, for he was the father of the united front tactic in Germany, which is no reflection on him. We did this altogether. When he now says: objectively the position is that the masses conceive it was one government gradually developing out of the other, then we must ponder very deeply over where the fundamental error lies. I think it lies not in the united front tactics as such, but in their application. This must not be overlooked. This is a matter that cannot be taken lightly. It is a more weighty question than any other.
This then, is the position with regard to the united front. I think there is no cause for revising it fundamentally, Fundamentally, it is correct and will remain so. It is similar to the question of revolutionary parliamentarism. We stand with both feet firmly on that ground. How did we fight that question? We said Bombacci is a fool: the parliamentary faction in Germany is weak, so it is in France. But this is not taking up a position on principle. We must understand how to fight for the proper carrying out of an idea. The tactics are determined by the fact that we are a minority in the working class, and that the Social-Democracy has the majority, and that in the main we are still on the defensive and not on the offensive—Capitalism is on the offensive. Consequently, these tactics must apply for several years, throughout the duration of this position of the Communist Labour Movement. But in order to appreciate this idea we must ruthlessly combat any incorrect application of it. Otherwise, conrades, the ordinary workers will indeed say: it cannot be much of an idea; it is carried out badly in France, and also in Czecho-Slovakia and Germany, where they have the best Communist Parties. The united front tactic apparently is not a good idea at all. But the united front cannot be a good idea without flesh and blood.
In view of the formulation which is now given to it, it is most important that the matter be honestly thought out to the very end. On behalf of my party and with the unanimous approval of the Politbureau, I submit the following:—
"The united front is nothing more than a method of agitating and mobilising the proletarian forces in the period in which we at present find ourselves, All else is Social-Democratic." But, comrades, we must have regard to shades and colours. It would
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